Very Old Santo Domingo Pottery Jar c.1880s

Life at Santo Domingo Pueblo in the late 19th century was rooted in agriculture, community, and tradition. Known today as Kewa Pueblo, the people maintained a strong relationship with their environment and cultural heritage. Pottery served both practical and ceremonial purposes and was created using hand-coiled techniques, natural pigments, and open firing methods. Each piece reflected the individuality of the artist and the continuity of ancestral knowledge.

This Santo Domingo jar from the 1880s is a beautiful expression of that legacy. The vessel has an elegant profile with a high shoulder, rounded neck, and a rim that subtly tapers and shows slight irregularity, a testament to its handmade nature. The surface displays a rich patina from age and use, along with deep black pigmentation and a highly polished sheen. Three distinct bands of decoration wrap the jar: rain cloud motifs encircle the rim and neck, a variation of that design appears on the shoulder, and the traditional Kewa star motif is featured around the body. Each section is bordered by thin double framing lines. The base is coated in a red slip. Overall, this jar is a rare and finely crafted example of Santo Domingo pottery from the 19th century, carrying with it the presence and artistry of its origin.

Condition: very good condition for a jar of this age, with two pop-outs present on the rim.

Provenance: This Very Old Santo Domingo Pottery Jar c.1880s is from the collection of a client of Adobe Gallery.

Recommended Reading: THE POTTERY OF SANTO DOMINGO PUEBLO: A Detailed Study of its Decoration. Memoirs of the Laboratory of Anthropology, Volume 1, Santa Fe. 1936. Chapman, Kenneth M. (1875-1968)

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, Historic Pottery, Kewa Pueblo - Santo Domingo Pueblo